No matter what time of year it is, it can often feel as if you are spending a fortune on your utility bills. While you will, of course, need to keep yourself cool or warm depending on the time of year, there are plenty of ways you can make your home more energy-efficient. By making a few simple upgrades and changes, you can see yourself save hundreds of dollars each year, money that is now being spent on wasted energy and power.

Here are a few tips to help you reduce your energy payments:

Dress warmly: To keep yourself comfortable in your home without spending a fortune on energy, try dressing in more layers when you are around the house. Warm socks or an extra sweatshirt will be toasty, and you won't have to crank up the heat and drive up your monthly utility bills.

Invest in custom window coverings: One of the easiest ways to ensure your home stays energy-efficient is by investing in custom blinds or drapes for your windows. They will act as a barrier between your home and the outside world, so any hot or cold air that you pay for will remain inside.

Take care of any leaks: Every couple of months, you should check the areas surrounding your windows and doors to make sure that there is no air leaking outside. If there is, be sure to plug them up as soon as possible with caulk or some other kind of material. Air leaks will result in much higher energy payments year round.